1/18 prototype bunker: Paperclips and foam... lol

[flyboy_fx]

Well here is something to show. The main focus on this was to learn how to make the MG window correctly. I think it looks good (Still working on fine tuning it but I have the methode down)! The bunker right now has no exterior details. In order to keep them cheap the interiors will have no details opposed to paint. I can probably sell this for around $20 once it is done. This is just a typical MG bunker possibly found in Afrika. Also note, there will be a LOT more variety then this coming soon, including Pointe Du Hoc bunkers that where supposed to contain the guns that where never there.

Leave feed back and ask questions if you have any!

[Razor17019]

Looking good, Flyboy.

[aferguson]

indeed, i like where you're going with this.

[B17Fortress]

Looks great flyboy! Only question is, why is the soldier holding his arm in the last photo?

[ram04]

Haven't you ever seen Saving Private Ryan?, its the guy from the D-Day landing footage, seems he made it to a bunker

[flyboy_fx]

Yea! LOL, I was thinking that too! The right arm would not stay in so I said Fk it and made him hold it.

[flyboy_fx]

Looks good I think! Not too shabby for a $20 bunker.

Let me know how you guys like it so far!

[aferguson]

that looks great, a tad overdone with the damage perhaps but very realistic. Great work. Really great. I'm quite impressed.

[flyboy_fx]

that looks great, a tad overdone with the damage perhaps but very realistic. Great work. Really great. I'm quite impressed.

Indeed. Future ones will not be like this. This will probably be a personal one... What I was seeing in my mind while I was creating this where soldiers being pinned down by an MG while trying to give covering fire... That's why there's a load of holes around the front.
I might sell it though and put the money to more rare earth magnets so the top is removable. Plus nothing feels nicer then the solid click of magnets as the foam lines up, perfectly encasing your soldiers. lol

[TankAce]

I like everything except the color.Not very suitable for a German bunker. Keep up the good work.By the way the price is really good.I am more in to the big bunkers.

[flyboy_fx]

Big bunkers will be here too. More expensive though... I guess around $50 for a nice sized bunker with interior and magnetic roof.

[aferguson]

keep it up boy, you're doing great.

[ram04]

Can't wait to see some paint on it, looks like your on track to making some really nice bunkers

[normandy]

Flyboy, this bunker looks great! I kind of like the look.....as if there was a intense firefight. You can weather/detail to order. Great stuff, your work keeps getting better.

[plasticboy]

Looking good! Love the bullet hole.

[flyboy_fx]

So, should my buildings get detailed interiors? They will be a tad bit more expensive but I think it is worth it! Let me know what you guys think please.

An example would be a Tobruk (First pic) without a detailed interior $20 and a tobruk with a detailed interior $25-$30. The detail on the interior consists of Spackle smeared onto the walls to fill in all gaps and give a realistic troweled on concrete look opposed to plain foam.

I will not make them all like this but more so the bigger ones that would already be more expensive.

Should I not do this on smaller bunkers like basic MG bunkers, tobruks, ect... and just keep the outside detailed? (No body looks in there who cares). But, detail the inside or larger ones for display with out the top... Let me know!!!
That will keep small ones cheap and affordable to be able to add something extra to a plain shelf/display. The big ones will be a diorama by there self almost.











As you can see here the inside is detailed.

[Razor17019]

Your long narrow one looks like connecting trench system. I would like that, but not sure how to display to make it look "underground".

[flyboy_fx]

. Hmm the dirt would only come up to the bottom of the windows...
The north afrika ones are the easiest. Just plop them on some sand LOL. It could be just displayed with the lid off and all the guys in a defense pose maybe. All my bunkers will be General purpose except for any Pointe du hoc ones. I have seen bunkers in the Hurgten forest/ect that are just sitting on the grass. Not in the open though, like at a tree line or something.

Or just have it in a shelf with the rear facing you and have supplies stacked near the door and some germans marching next to it. Lots of stuff could be done!

[flyboy_fx]

Now that I think of it the spackle does not take as long as I was thinking... For some reason it feels like it did! I think I can give them all a spackle treatment! Lets see where this project goes from here!!!!

[margerisons]

A big YES to the spackle, awesome interior detail.

[TankAce]

I think the Japanese figure will display better on a small trench diorama.Like in the movie Windtalkers that there was a small area with the communications radio.I like the small bunker you made.It is perfect size for a book shelve and there will still be room left to display the allied invasion U.S. marine figures.

[aferguson]

i'd be interested in the steel pillbox type bunker the japanese used. Other japanese bunkers less so.

Do some german stuff first.

[flyboy_fx]

Well, I slapped some pain on this boy! It was a Hurgten Forrest inspired bunker! (Note, they will not all be camo or as damaged. )

I am not sure I like they paint job... The dry brushing was too heavy but the others will be fixed!


As for the paint, it is cheap stuff I got at an art store to keep costs down. ($3 for a big bottle opposed to $3 for a 3 oz airbrush paint). The bunker can not get wet due to the acrylic paint and spackle.

The paint seams to hold well to the foam and average to the spackle. The spackle is not super strong so keep that in mind (It chips kinda easy so don't give it to your 6 year old It is just a display piece... Hard to tell if it does though cause it is white) . I only do the tops and insides with spackle, the rest is plain foam! I think these are shaping up!!!

All that is left on this guy is to install magnets on the roof!

[gburch]

Looks really, really good.

[margerisons]

Looks great, lots of detail.

Awesome to see the progress